CV

Tamara Deane McElhannon

404 Retreat Lane
Canton, Georgia 30114

404.271.4261
[email protected]

tamaradeane.com
southernstudioarts.com
tamara-graphic.com

Born 1964 in Winder, Georgia. Lives and works in the Atlanta metropolitan area.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Adjunct Professor, Art & Design
Reinhardt University, Waleska, GA, 2023-present

Fine Art Painter–Interactive 2D
The Tamara Deane Collection, Canton, GA, 2022-Present

Fine Art Painter–Realistic Surrealism, Workshop Instructor
Southern Studio Arts (owner), Atlanta/Winder (gallery)/Canton GA, 2013-Present

Creative Director, Illustrator, Graphic Designer
Tamara McElhannon Graphic Design & Illustration, Atlanta/Canton, GA, 2000-Present

Creative Director
DO Marketing & Fundraising, Naples, FL, 2015-Present

Adjunct Professor, Graphic Design 
Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 2016-2018

Lead Scenic Designer–Professional Theatre
Horizon Theatre, Synchronicity Theatre, Marietta Theatre in the Square, Atlanta/Marietta, 2007-2011

President, Art Director, Graphic Designer
Design Basics, Inc., Atlanta, GA, 1990-2000

Adjunct Professor, Graphic Design
Art Institute of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 1990-1992

Graphic Designer, Sales Representative
Graphic Design Services, South Plainsville, NJ, 1986-1989

EDUCATION

Restoration, Frescoes, Oil Painting
Lorenzo De’Medici, Florence, Italy, 2000

Intern, Digital Graphic Design Dept.
Pratt Institute, Manhattan Campus, New York, NY, 1986-1987

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design
University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 1983-1985

School of Fine Arts
Asbury University, Wilmore, KY, 1981-1982

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

Metro Montage – National Juried Exhibition, Marietta Cobb Museum of Art, Marietta, GA, group exhibition, July 1-September 3, 2023

The Falany Performing Arts Center, Reinhardt University, Waleska, GA, group exhibition, March 2023

Small Town, Small Works, The Reeves House, Woodstock, GA, group exhibition, October 2022

Transformations, Southern Studio Arts, Winder, GA, solo exhibition, March 2015

Forgotten Memories, Southern Studio Arts, Winder, GA, group exhibition, May 2014 

American Still Life, The Bascom, Highlands, NC, juried exhibition, September 2013

Plein Air Paint Out, Braselton, GA, group exhibition, October 2013

Decatur Arts Festival-Fine Art Exhibit, Agnes Scott College Dalton Gallery, Decatur, GA, juried exhibition, May 2013

Other Voices, PBJ Gallery, Atlanta, GA, co-exhibition, May 2011

Curious, Guillotine Post, Atlanta, GA, solo exhibition, April 2007

Spectrum, Lamber Gallery, Atlanta, GA, group exhibition, March 2006

Gender Gap, Lambert Gallery, Atlanta, GA, co-exhibition, February 2004

Fact or Fantasy, Seen Gallery, Atlanta GA, group exhibition, June 2004

10th Biennial National Juried Art Exhibition, Leslie Powell Gallery, Lawton, OK, February 2003

The Atlanta Symphony Benefit, Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, GA, group exhibition, February 2002

National Women’s History Exhibition, Home Depot Corporate Headquarters, Atlanta GA, group exhibition, March 2002

Atlanta Artists, Barkin & Leeds Gallery, SunTrust Plaza Gallery, Atlanta, GA, group exhibition, October 2002

MEDIA

Best Version Media, Bradshaw Lake Living, Bridgemill Neighbors, and Hickory Flat Neighbors, print articles: Featured Artist, and editorial “The Curious Soul,” 2023

Live Twitter event: Personal Branding Audio Interview: Q&A, hosted by The Artists Guild, 2018

Live Twitter event: The Guild Chat: Personal Branding, group discussion by invitation, hosted by The Artists Guild, 2018

Online article: “Are You Announcing, Commanding or Inviting?” 2014

Online workshop interview: Topic–Direct Mail for Artists, hosted by Alyson Stansfield, Consulting and Community for Committed Artists, 2014

Online article: The Next Cool Event, 2012

Print article: Atlanta Intown, Horizon Theatre’s “In Darfur,” scenic designer “praise” (superb use of space), 2012

Print article: Atlanta Journal & Constitution, Horizon Theatre’s “Clean House,” scenic designer “smartly realized, visually handsome,” 2008

Print article: Atlanta Intown, Horizon Theatre’s “9 Parts of Desire,” scenic designer, “lovely and draws you in immediately,” 2007s,

RELATED EXPERIENCE & SPECIAL PROJECTS

Board Member, The Art Section: An Online Journal of Art and Cultural Commentary, international online magazine, 2020-present

The Poetry Project, press release, new work from five poets inspired by painter Romare Bearden, TAS Board member, event assistance, and graphic support, 2020

Oil Painters of America Member, 2012-present

Susi Bass Award Nominee, 9 Parts of Desire, Horizon Theatre, Scenic Design in Professional Theatre, September 2007

Arrowmont School of Arts, Gatlinburg, TN / Crafts and Penland School of Craft, Bakersville, NC 
• Mural painting, instructor: Taylor Shaw, 2023
• Airbrush painting, instructor: Brandon J. Donahue, 2022
• Etching/printmaking, Instructor: Chris Mueller, 2019
• Plein Air painting, instructor: John David Wissler, 2018
• Large format drawing, instruction: Cornel Rubino, 2017

Hosted workshops and course development, Southern Studio Arts, various dates
• Abstract Painting
• Conceptual Creativity
• Painting in oils/acrylics
• Landscape Painting
• Plein Air Painting

Special Project: PDF, The StaalmeestersThe Evidence in Support of a Lost Masterpiece by Rembrandt, in partnership with Lloyd Nick, former Director at the Oglethorpe University Museum of Art-OUMA, 2014

Special Project: PDF, Carl Jung, The Sacred Round, catalog and promotional collateral, Oglethorpe University Museum of Art-OUMA, 2012

Special Project: PDF, Chagall, The Early Etchings of the 1920s, promotional collateral, Oglethorpe University Museum of Art-OUMA, year unknown